Clamp



Patented Aug. 19, 1941 CLAMP Oscar F. Tallman, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to James It. Kearney Corporation, a corporation of Missouri St. Louis, Mo.,

Application June 8, 1940, Serial No. 339,577

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to clamps of the type adapted for use in suspending electrical cables from messengers and more specifically to clamps of the general description of the clamp disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,164,094, granted on June 27, 1939, the predominant object of the invention being to provide a clamp of the type mentioned which is of such improved construction and arrangement that it includes improved means for effecting attachment of a cable to the clamp structure.

The clamp structure disclosed in the Letters Patent identified above has been widely employed in the electrical industry and has performed its intended function in a highly efficient manner, andthis patented clamp structure includes a band which is arranged in embracing relation with respect to an electrical cable supported by the clamp which is provided with a plurality of apertures, through a pair of which certain legs of the clamp structure are extended when the clamp structure is in its operative, cable-supporting position.

. It has been found that the necessity of providing the cable-embracing band of the patented clamp structure with the apertures referred to, adds considerably to the cost of producing the clamp structure, and the main purpose of the present invention is to reduce the cost of producing the clamp structure by employing as a part thereof an imperforate cable-embracing band, and by incorporating in the clamp structure simple and efliciently operable means for engaging end portions of the imperforate cable-embracing band so that a cable supported by the clamp structure will be securely attached thereto.

Fig. 1 is a perspective showing the improved clamp structure as it appears when it is being applied to a messenger and an associated cable.

Fig. 2 is a perspective similar to Fig. 1, but showing the clamp structure as it appears when the operation of applying the clamp structure to a messenger and an associated cable has progressed beyond the condition illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective similar to Figs. 1 and 2 but showing the clamp structure as it appears when the operation of applying the clamp structure to a messenger and an associated cable has been completed.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

In the drawing, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates the improved clamp generally, said clamp A, in the drawing, being shown associated with a messenger B and a cable 0. The clamp A includes a clamping member I and a clamping member 2 which are so constructed and assembled that the messenger B is clamped between said clamping members, said clamping members preferably, though not necessarily, being formed from rod stock. The clamping member I is preferably in the form of a U- bolt which includes a pair of spaced and substantially parallel leg portions 3 which merge into convergent portions 4 that are extended at approximate right angles relative to the axes of said leg portions 3, said convergent portions being joined at their outer ends by a curved bridge portion 5. The portions 6 of the clamping member I which join the leg portions 3 of said clamping member to the portions 4 thereof are curved as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 4, and the spaced leg portions 3 of the clamping member I are externally screwthreaded throughout considerable portions of the lengths thereof for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

The clamping member 2 is shaped as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 4; that is to say, said clamping member is formed preferably from a single length of rod which includes a portion 1 that is externally screwthreaded throughout a substantial portion of its length, a portion 8 which is connected to the portion 1 by an arcuate portion 9 and extends at an approximate right angle relative to said portion 1, and a hookshaped portion ll] located at the outer end of said portion 8. The hook-shaped portion ID of the clamping member 2 embraces the curved bridge portion 5 of the clamping member I, and

associated with said clamping member 2 is a plate II. The plate It has an aperture l2 formed therethrough, approximately centrally thereof, through which the portion 1 of the clamping member 2 i extended, said portion 1 of the clamping member 2 having a nut l3 mounted on its screwthreaded portion and the outer end of said portion 1 being upset, a indicated a t 14, to prevent displacement of said nut therefrom. Preferably the plate H is provided with flanges l5 at its opposite ends.

Inapplying the clamp to a messenger, such as that designated in the drawing by the reference character B, the clamping members I and 2 are preliminarily associated with the messenger as shown in Fig.1, after which the plate I l and the forward part of the portion 7 of the clamping member 2 are passed between the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I and said plate II is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 where its outer end portions and the flanges 15 thereof engage upper portions of the leg portions 3. The nut I3 is then screwed inwardly on the portion 1 of the clamping member 2 to engage and force the plate ll into tight engagement with the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. When the associated clamping members I and 2 have been so applied to the messenger B the clamp will be maintained in secure clamping engagement with the messenger because of the fact that the arcuate portions 6 and 9 of the clamping members I and 2, respectively, will be drawn into tight gripping contact with said messenger as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 4.

Mounted on the screwthreaded portions of the leg portions 3 of the clamping member is :a pair of associated nuts I6, and supported on said screwthreaded portions of said leg portions 3 at points beneath the nuts I6 is a second pair of associated nuts I'I. Arranged in cooperative association with the nuts I6 is a plate I8 which is provided with an upstanding flange I9 which extends the length of the inner edge of said plate,

said plate I8 also being provided with apertures 29 formed therethrough through which the leg portions 3 extend. Associated with the nuts It andthe plate I8 is a plate 2| which, adjacent to one of its ends, is provided with an aperture .22 through which one of the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I is extended, said plate, .at a point adjacent to its opposite end being provided with a slot 23 which is open at the forward edge of said plate 2|. The plate 2|, in its operative position, is interposed between the nuts I6 and the plate I8 and said plate I81 may be swung about the leg portion 3 of the clamping member I which passes through its aperture 22, to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2,

or to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3

where the opposite leg portion 3 of the clamping member I extends through the slot 23 of said plate 2|.

Associated with the lowermost pair of nuts I'I, mounted on the screwthreaded portions of the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I, is a plate 24 which resembles the plate 2| previously described herein. In other words, the plate 24 is provided with a downturned flange 25 which extends throughout the length of the plate 24 at the inner edge thereof, and said plate 24 has formed therethrough a pair of apertures 25 through which the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I extend. Also associated with the nuts I! and the plate 24, normally in interposed relation with respect thereto, is a plate 26 which resembles the plate 2| previously described herein, said plate 26 being provided adjacent to one of its ends with an aperture 21 through which one of the legs 3 of the clamping member I extends, and said plate 28 at a point adjacent to its opposite end being provided with a slot 28 which is open at the forward edge of said plate.

The improved clamp structure disclosed herein includes a band 29 formed from suitable material, such, for instance, as stainless steel, which is arranged about the cable C in embracing relation with respect thereto. The strip of material which provides the band 29 is of such length that end portions 29', which extend outwardly from the cable-embracing portion of said strip of material, preliminarily are projected between the plates I8 and 24 as shown in Fig. 2, said strip of material being of such width as to pass between the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I. When the end portions 29 of the strip of material which provides the band 29 are preliminarily extended between the plates I 8 and 24 the plates 2| and 26 are each swung to the position in which the plate 2| is shown in Fig. 2. The extended portions 29 of the band material are then bent around the forward edges of the plates I8and 24, the upward extension being t pwardly and the lower extension being bent downwardly, and said extensions are projected rearwardly from the forward edges of said plates I8 and 24 as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The plates 2| and 29 are then swung about the leg 3 of the clamping member I which extends through the apertures 20 and 2'! thereof to positions where the opposite leg 3 of the clamping member-I extends through the slots 23 and 28 of said plates 2| and 26. The nuts I6 are then adjusted downwardly on the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I, and the nuts H are adjusted upwardly on said leg portions to clamp a portion 29a of the strip of material which provides the band 29 between the plate 2| and the plate I8 and to clamp a portion 29b of said strip of said material between the plate 26 and the plate 24. Also continued movement of the pairs of nuts I8 and I1 toward each other will draw the assembledplates I8 and 2| and the assembled plates 29 and 26 toward each other so as to tighten the band 29 about the cable C- When the band 29 has been drawn tightly about the cable C it is obvious that said cable will be very securely attached to the clamp, and because said clamp is rigidly clamped to the messenger B, said clamp provides secure and dependable means for suspending the cable C from the messenger B.

It is to be noted that angularly bent portions 290 of the strip of material which provides the band 29 are crimped between faces of the flanges I9 and 25 of the plates I8 and 24 and adjacent faces of the plates 2| and 26 (Fig. 4). Because of this arrangement slippage of the strip of material, which provides the'band 29, with respect to the associated plates I8 and 2| and with respect to the associated plates 24 and .29 is effectively prevented. Also the lower ends of the leg portions 3 of the clamping member I are upset so as to prevent displacement from said leg portions of the nuts I6 and I1, and the plates associated therewith. Thus the entire clamp structure, with the exception of the band 29, is retained at all times in an assembled condition, as the hook-shaped portion I9 of the clamping member 2 permanently engages the bridge portion 5 of the clamping member and the nut I3 and the associated plate II are prevented from being displaced from the portion I of said clamping member 2 by the upset end It thereof.

If desired the cable C may have a strip 30 of suitable material, lead, for instance, wound about it in embracing relation with respect thereto, so as to protect the cable and provide a rela-:

tively soft cushioning means between the band 29 and the cable. Also if desired the band 29 may be provided with protuberances 3| which will aid in improving the gripping ability of the band.

I claim: 1. A clamp adapted for use in suspending an electrical conductor from an elongated supporting element, comprising a pair of assembled tions of said strip of material, said pairs of plates being supported by said spaced legs of said one clamping member for movement longitudinally thereof while said pair of assembled clamping members are in clamping engagement with said elongated supporting element, and means mount ed on said spaced legs of said one clamping memher for forcing the plates of each pair of plates into clamping engagement with the part of the strip of material located therebetween and for moving the pairs of assembled plates toward each other to draw the strip of material tightly about the electrical conductor.

2. A clamp adapted for use in suspending an electrical conductor from an elongated supporting element, comprising a pair of assembled clamping members adapted to clampingly engage said elongated supporting element, one of said clamping members including a pair of spaced legs, a strip of material arranged in partial embracing relation with respect to said electrical conductor and having end portions which extend entirely between said spaced legs of said one clamping member, pairs of plates for clampingly receiving therebetween parts of said end portions of said strip of material, said pairs of plates being supported by said spaced legs of said one clamping member for movement longitudinally thereof while said pair of assembled clamping members are in clamping engagement with said elongated supporting element, and means comprising pairs of nuts mounted on said spaced legs of said one clamping member for focing the plates of each pair of plates into clamping engagement with the part of the strip of material located therebetween and for moving the pairs of assembled plates toward each other to draw the strip of material tightly about the electrical conductor.

3. A clamp adapted for use in suspending an electrical conductor from an elongated supporting element, comprising a pair of assembled clamping members adapted to clampingly engage said elongated supporting element, one of said clamping members including a pair of spaced legs, a strip of material arranged in partial embracing relation with respect to said electrical conductor and having end portions which extend entirely between said spaced legs of said one clamping member, pairs of plates for clampingly receiving therebetween parts of said end portions of said strip of material, said pairs of plates being supported by said spaced legs of said one clamping member for movement longitudinally thereof, and

means comprising pairs of nuts mounted on said spaced legs of said one clamping member for forcing the plates of each pair of plates into clamping engagement with the part of the strip of material located therebetween and for moving the pairs of assembled plates toward each other to draw the strip of material tightly about the electrical conductor, one plate of each associated pair of plates being provided with an angularly extended portion between a face of which and an adjacent face of the associated plate an angularly displaced part of the strip of material is gripped to prevent slippage of the strip of material with respect to said associated pair of plates.

4. A clamp adapted for use in suspending an electrical conductor from an elongated supporting element, comprising a pair of assembled clamping members adapted to clampingly engage said elongated supporting element, one of said clamping members including a pair of spaced legs, a strip of material arranged in partial embracing relation with respect to said electrical conductor and having end portions which extend entirely between said spaced legs of said one clamping member, pairs of plates for clampingly receiving therebetween parts of said end portions of said strip of material, said pairs of plates being supported by said spaced legs of said one clamping member for movement longitudinally thereof, and means comprising pairs of nuts mounted on said spaced legs of said one clamping member for forcing the plates of each pair of plates into clamping engagement with the part of the strip of material located therebetween and for moving the pairs of assembled plates toward each other to draw the strip of material tightly about the electrical conductor, one plate of each pair of plates being supported by one of the spaced legs of said one clamping member for swinging movement to a'displaced position with respect to its associated plate.

5. A clamp adapted for use in suspending an electrical conductor from an elongated supporting element, comprising a pair of assembled clamping members adapted to clampingly engage said elongated supporting element, one of said clamping members including a pair of spaced legs, a strip of material arranged in partial embracing relation with respect to said electrical conductor and having end portions which extend entirely between said spaced legs of said one clamping member, pairs of plates for clampingly receiving therebetween parts of said end portions of said strip of material, said pairs of plates being supported by said spaced legs of said one clamping member for movement longitudinally thereof, and means comprising pairs of nuts mounted on said spaced legs of said one clamping member for forcing the plates of each pair of plates into clamping engagement with the part of the strip of material located therebetween and for moving the pairs of assembled plates toward each other to draw the strip of material tightly about the electrical conductor, one plate of each pair of plates being supported by one of the spaced legs of said one clamping member for swinging movement to a displaced position with respect to its associated plate and being provided with a slot open at an edge of the plate which permits said swingable plate to be disengaged from the other of said spaced legs of said one clamping member for such swinging movement.

6. A clamp adapted for use in suspending an electrical conductor from an elongated supporting element, comprising a pair of assembled clamping members permanently attached together for relative movement and adapted to clampingly engage said elongated supporting element,

one of said clamping members including a bent portion providing an eye portion which embraces a portion of the other clamping. member to effect permanent attachment of said pair of assembled clamping members and one of said clamping members including a pair of spaced legs, a strip of material arranged in partial embracing relation with respect to said electrical conductor and having end portions which extend entirely between said spaced legs of said on clamping member, pairs of plates for clampingly receiving therebetween parts of said end portions of said strip of material, and means mounted on said spaced legs of said one clamping member for forcing the plates of each pair of plates Into clamping engagement with the part of the strip of material located therebetween and ior moving the pairs of assembled plates toward each other to draw the strip of material tightly about the electrical conductor.

OSCAR F. TALLMAN, 

